Accession No
1007
Brief Description
refracting telescope objective lens, by Christopher Cock, English, 1668
Origin
England; London
Maker
Cock, Christopher
Class
astronomy; optical
Earliest Date
1668
Latest Date
1668
Inscription Date
1668
Material
metal (brass); glass; wood
Dimensions
Mount 82 x 85 mm; lens d 76 mm
Special Collection
Provenance
On loan from Pembroke College, University of Cambridge from 1951.
Inscription
(circumference of lens) Christopher Cock London 1668 14 foot
(reverse of mount) Pemb Hall
Description Notes
Telescope objective lens, set in square wooden mount, held by brass retaining spring and clips.
Fair condition.
References
Events
Description
Signed ‘Christopher Cock London 1668’ and marked ‘14 foot’ (focal length), this lens has a diameter of 3 inches and a thickness of 0.23 inches. The glass has a yellowish tinge but is fairly free from faults. This is a unique, and probably the earliest, example of the work of one of the most famous English instrument makers of the second half of the 17th century. It is probably also the first signed English astronomical objective made for research purposes.
11/08/2006
Created by: updated by Ruth Horry on 11/08/2006
FM:39692
Images (Click to view full size):
